NEWS: Disney Files Permit for Construction in Magic Kingdom

New construction is coming to the Magic Kingdom.

Caribbean Plaza area

Avast ye mateys, Disney is cooking up something NEW related to Pirates of the Caribbean. A new construction permit filed for the park indicates that work is soon to begin in Caribbean Plaza, and we have a theory on what it MIGHT be related to.

Back on May 31st, Disney filed a new construction permit for work on 4873 CARIBBEAN WY # B, the technical legal address of Caribbean Plaza in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. The permit, which lists longtime Disney contractor Whiting-Turner, is not credited to Walt Disney Imagineering, but rather to Walt Disney World for general construction, so it could be for any type of work. Interestingly, the permit extends through August 2025, slightly longer than the usual one year date-range we typically see with these kinds of permits.

Caribbean plaza

We believe this construction could be linked to the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean lounge that’s coming to Adventureland. First announced at Destination D23 last September, Disney has said that the lounge would “extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean” in an environment where “pirates of all ages gather to tell their tales.” Along with the description, Disney also released concept art which displayed the iconic Barker Bird animatronic as part of the lounge.

©Disney

The talking Barker Bird had first appeared at the exit of the Magic Kingdom version of Pirates when it opened in 1973, before being moved to a spot near the ride’s entrance in 1975 to dissipate the crowds that would form to listen to the character around the unload area. The animatronic remained until 2006, when it was removed as part of the ride’s refurbishment.

A Barker Bird reproduction merch piece.

It’s also unclear what, if any relation, this construction and the development of the upcoming pirate lounge has to to the change in operations for Tortuga Tavern. As of June 2024, the relatively popular pirate-themed eatery has closed.

Tortuga Tavern

We’ve been told that the tavern will still be open for “seasonal” operation. To be clear, the permit in question doesn’t cover any work on Tortuga Tavern – – the technical address of that establishment is 4873 Caribbean Way #A – – but it’s likely worth keeping an eye on.